UMN Turf Research
How Much Does Research Cost?
By: Dr. Eric Watkins, Dept. of Horticultural Science University of Minnesota Editor’s note: this article is an update from an article originally published in the March 2020 issue of Golf Course Management The Environmental Institute for Golf, on its research web page, declares that “Without research, where would the game of golf be? Research adds to every aspect of the game, from enjoyment to efficiently managing the resources used.” In 2022, the EIFG supported research by awarding $149,957, split among five research projects. The many state-level BMPs that have been written in recent years are built on a foundation of applied turfgrass research conducted at many locations, the primary being the public land-grant university. At one time, the costs of turfgrass research were primarily covered by University and related state 44
funds; however, paying for research has long since shifted away from the University to other sources, including federal granting agencies like the USDA, state agencies related to agricultural development or environmental protection, and grants and donations from professional groups like the GCSAA, its state chapters, and other turf foundations. Nationally, research funding is falling well short of what is required to take on the many challenges the turfgrass industry faces. At the University of Minnesota, we are blessed to have a longstanding partnership with the MGCSA and the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation (MTGF); combined, these two organizations donate in the range of $75,000-100,000 each year to our program. These funds are critical, providing